Researchers in Australia have found the 'superbug' Enterococcus faecium has become more resistant over the past 19 years to alcohols widely used in both handwashing formulas and surface disinfection wipes. The bacterial strains today were found to be more resistant by a factor of 10. The findings suggest that bacteria adaptation is complicating infection control recommendations and require additional procedures to be put in place to prevent E. faecium from spreading in hospitals.
Tags: Managing Disinfection, Pathogenic Bacteria, Infection Prevention, Healthcare Acquired Infection, HAI, Tablet Disinfection, Hand Washing
Microorganisms are all around us in our daily lives. While some bacteria can have positive benefits; in a hospital setting they can cause infection and sometimes death. Unfortunately, pathogenic bacteria are capable of lingering on surfaces for months or even years! This can be very dangerous especially when inhabiting high-touch surfaces in hospitals that are difficult to disinfect regularly or effectively. Shared objects that come in contact with one patient after another are at risk of fostering cross-contamination.
Tags: Managing Disinfection, Pathogenic Bacteria, Healthcare Technology, Infection Prevention, Methods of Decontamination, Healthcare Acquired Infection, Healthcare, Mobile Devices in OR, HAI, Tablets, Health IT, Cell Phones in OR, Tablet Disinfection, Patient Health
Tags: Managing Disinfection, Pathogenic Bacteria, Infection Prevention, Methods of Decontamination, Healthcare Acquired Infection, Healthcare, Mobile Devices in OR, Cell Phones in OR
The usage of mobile devices has risen significantly in recent years due to all the advantages in mobile technology happening everyday. However, because the technology comes in close contact with healthcare workers and patients, it leaves patients susceptible to infection. Below, we bring you 4 articles that prove mobile disinfection needs to be implemented into daily routines in healthcare facilities.
Tags: Managing Disinfection, Healthcare Technology, Infection Prevention, Healthcare Acquired Infection, Healthcare, HAI, Health IT
In an effort to continually reduce disease transmission in hospital settings, one doctor is asking if we should stop handshakes altogether.
Tags: Managing Disinfection, Infection Prevention, Healthcare Acquired Infection, Healthcare, HAI
Summary: Washable Keyboard Helps Hospitals Tackle Cross Contamination
Prevalence of HAIs
Clostridium difficile (c. diff) and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are two of the more common healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) that create problems in hospitals nationwide.
Tags: Managing Disinfection, Infection Prevention, Healthcare Acquired Infection, Healthcare, HAI, Health IT
According to CDC reports, over 700,000 hospital patients acquired an infection as a result of their hospital stay in 2011, resulting in roughly 75,000 deaths. The majority of these Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) occurred in intensive care units.
Tags: Managing Disinfection, Healthcare Technology, Infection Prevention, Healthcare Acquired Infection, HAI, Health IT
Hospital Acquired Infections are unfortunately a common complication of hospital care. Despite recent progress in healthcare, infections continue to affect patient safety as well as hospital staff. Below is a collection of shocking statistics to showcase the dangers associated with poor hospital hygiene:
Tags: Health Stats, Infection Prevention, Healthcare Acquired Infection, Healthcare, HAI
What Does It Mean for Your Hospital?
Starting October 1, 2014, hospitals with the highest rates of nosocomial infections will suffer substantial financial penalties – will your institution be one of them?
Tags: Managing Disinfection, Infection Prevention, Healthcare Acquired Infection, HAI
A recent data report, Cross-Contamination Prevention: Addressing Keyboards as Fomites, released by Infection Control Today, discusses the topic of cross-contamination prevention focusing specifically on keyboards as fomites. A fomite is an object that has the potential to become contaminated with any type of germ or bacteria. Fomites are key players in the transfer of pathogens from person-to-person. These objects are responsible for the billions of dollars spent treating hospital acquired infections and paying for sick leaves taken by health care workers. In order to lessen these numbers we must understand the source of the infections.
Tags: Managing Disinfection, Infection Prevention, Healthcare Acquired Infection, HAI
